The Missouri Gaming Commission unanimously approved a “preliminary order for disciplinary action” recommending the Mark Twain Casino in LaGrange casino be fined ,500 for violating gaming rules regarding an on-site promotion last November.
Specifically, the violations occurred in conjunction with a promotion called “Pepsi Giveaway Mondays.” According to a document presented at a recent MGC meeting, the commission was notified November 2 that a promotional kiosk had been set up incorrectly and as a result, inadvertently printed too many tickets for the first day of the promotion. The next week, a casino employee entered the wrong starting time for the November 9 promotion, causing it to start eight hours too early. As a result, five casino patrons were denied their prizes, consisting of a six-pack of soda and a cooler bag.
The document stated, “The acts or omissions of employees or agents of the Company, as described above, caused the promotion to be conducted in a manner that reflects negatively on the licensee and constituted the failure of the Casino to conduct its promotions according to the licensee’s rules governing the event.” The order signed by the MGC said state gaming laws require casinos to conduct all of their promotional activities in a fair and accurate manner.
Gaming commission spokesperson LeAnn McCarthy said the commission initially recommended that the casino pay a fine of $5,000, but on a motion by Commissioner Tom Neer, the fine was lowered to $2,500, which commissioners unanimously approved.
The casino will have 30 days to appeal the recommendation or the action will become final.
